Anchorage

Golfe de Girolata Nord

Shelter: N, NE, E, W, NW
Seabed: sand, algae
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage in the northern part of the Golfe de Girolata, west coast of Corsica, within the Scandola nature reserve perimeter.

Beach
Seagrass

Guide

Approach and anchoring

Approach from the south round Punta Rossa. The bottom is sand over weed and the sand can be hard, so anchor in 8 to 12 metres and lift and reset until the anchor bites on clear sand, allowing plenty of scope. Strong gusts funnel down off the surrounding mountains into the bay, at times reaching gale force with no warning in the forecast, and a swell or current from seaward can set the boat rolling even in calm weather. The small Genoese fort and hamlet of Girolata lie 0.8 NM to the east.

Practical

No services at the anchorage. Mooring fees apply in the protected zone and collectors pass through in season. Village of Girolata 0.8 NM E has two restaurants, a bakery and a small grocery, reached only on foot or by boat.

Ashore

Trail from Girolata hamlet up to the Genoese tower of Girolata, built in 1551, about 30 minutes walk from the beach. Sentier du facteur coastal path heads north towards the Scandola reserve cliffs.

History

The Scandola reserve was created in 1975 and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983 together with the Calanques de Piana and the Golfe de Porto.